As Gouernment is GOds ordinance not mans ; So wee know that himselfe first established that Superioritie in the Creation : that euen amongst the lights of heauen , as some are lesser and subordinate , so other some of speciall eminencie and magnitude , as the Sunne and the Moone . Luminaria magna , Gen. 1.16 . Great lights : and of these two , the Sunne , Luminare maius , a greater light : and as the greater for light , so the greater for honour , for it was made in Dominium Diei , for the gouernment of the Day ; which , in the execution of that ordinance which God laid vpon it , standeth not immoueable as the North-pole , or as a Diamond fixed in a socket of Gold , but is in continuall motion and labour , fetching his course and conpasse about alwaies in businesse and imployment . I his Prince of the lights of heauen , giues this light vnto the Princes and Magistrates of the earth , who are Luminaria magna , great Lights , that they must not be as Starres fixed in their seuerall Orbes , but they must be in motion , alway looking about them , standing in the gates , watching vpon the Towers , euermore studying and deuising for their peoples welfare .

This we finde also in the rest of the Creatures , which the Lord God created , which as they are the more honourable , so the more operatiue & working . I may reduce them all into foure Degrees , and begin at the lowest , whence the rest fetch their beginning . First the foure Elements , Fire , Ayre , Water , Earth : These haue but onely a being without Life , Sence or Reason . Yet of these wee know , some are more noble then other , some more pure , some more in operation and working ; as the Fire more then the Ayre , the Ayre more then the Water , the Water more then the Earth . Of the second sort are things which ouer and beside their being , haue life , as Trees , Plants , Hearbs and Flowers ; and these are distinguished into their rankes , as the Cedar in Lebanon farre more noble then the Popler in the Forrest , and the Rose plant of Iericho , of better esteeme then the Woodbine of the Plaine . Proceede to a third sort , and these besides beeing , and life , haue also sence and motion , able to moue from place to place , as Beasts , Birds , and Fishes ; and these are more or lesse in regard : for what is the Mouse to the Elephant , or the Dog to the Lyon , or the Flye to the Eagle , or the Kite to the Ostrich ? Lastly , besides all these before mentioned , are they , who hauing sence , life , and motion , haue also Reason : and in this degree are , 1. Angels , the Legates and Messengers of Heauen ; and amongst these , there should seeme to be degrees of Soueraignty , Iude vers. 7. else why should Michael bee an Archangell , and Gabriel none ? yea and some more imployed then others too , Luk. 1 26. else why should Gabriel be Gods Embassadour to the Virgin Mary , more then Raphael or any other ? 2. Men : and these are the wonders of Nature if they wrong it not ; for besides that goodly shape which they beare , there are two singular priuiledges they are endued with beyond all earthly creatures , ratio , & oratio , Reason and Speech , And though I will not speake according to the Philosophers Fancie , Plato . that some are of baser metall then others , the Prince of a more golden temperature then the Vassal : Yet we know there is Potestas supereminentior , an higher power , Romans the 13.1 . Rom. 13.1 . And as Saul was higher then the people , 1. Sam. 10.23 . from the shoulders vpward , Hesiod . in Theog . vt suprà . so Princes and Magistrates are appointed to bee aboue others , and to ouerlooke them . Ex Ioue sunt Reges , said the Heathen Poet ; There is no Power but of God , said the diuine Apostle : Vnde spiritus , inde potestas , Tertul. Cedunt Iouis omnia reguo . Metam lib. 10. saith an ancient Father ; he that first gaue them life and being , gaue vnto them also this prerogatiue of gouerning . Hee it is that establisheth Thrones , Scepters , Orders and Degrees of men , some to gouerne , others to be gouerned .

Indeed I grant that Adam in the estate of his innocency , Gen. 1.26 . should haue had no Lordship ouer reasonable creatures of the like Image and shape with himselfe : For mans soueraigntie and Lordship was ouer creatures vnreasonable , Beasts , Birds and Fishes : this seruitude and slaucrie therefore whereby a man becomes subiect vnto man , came first from sinne . Canaan was borne a sonne , as well as Sem or Iaphet : Yet cursed be Canaan , Gen. 9.25 . a seruant of seruants shall he be . August . And this , Culpâ meruit non naturâ , saith S. Augustine , it fell to him by nature , not by transgression . Man after his fall became a Thorne , he could beare no Grapes ; he became a Thistle , hee could beare no Figges . Neither the Adder , or Viper , breedeth but after their owne kinde : that rebellious corruption that was in Adam , corrupted vs all , and made vs rebellious . The Leuen of Iniquitie that was in him , Ex impiis egreditur impietas . Pro. 1. Sam. 24.14 . sowred the whole lumpe of mankinde : For into how great disorders and confusions , did not his posteritie runne ? What sword could restraine , or what authoritie bridle their rage ? Therefore God in singular wisedome , vsed a meanes to represse their violences ; else reasonable men had beene farre worse then vnreasonable beasts , for neuer were the natures of other creatures more cruell , fell , sauage one to another , then the nature of man vnto man : had not God put an hooke into his nostrils , and a bridle into his lips , who though hee bare himselfe vp with insolencie and eagernesse of spirit , yet hee might be curb'd and bridled by them of his owne kinde , that whereas he had shaken off the yoke of obedience vnto God , was therefore inforced obedience vnto man , and of him to stand in awe . And thus through sinne came one man to haue power ouer another , that some might know how to rule , and others to obey .

Hence comes it to passe , that in regard of the stubbornnesse and insolencie of mans nature the disorder and vnrulinesse of his affections , so many wiles , crafts , subtilties and escapes , through corruption ingendered and festered in him , that nothing is of greater difficultie then to gouerne and rule man . It requires much art , skill , courage , and an high measure of wisedome , to keepe him in awe ; Qui inter omnes animantes , Gregor. Nazian. maxime est & moribus varius & voluntate diuersus , saith a Father , who amongst all the creatures of the world beside , is most stubbornly obliged and wedded to his will , and most exorbitant in the manners of his life . And surely , though we need not maruell at his prouidence in greater matters , when the least things that are , are not gouerned without his prouidence ; yet herein it doth wonderfully appeare , that there should be such a feare put into the hearts of a multitude , to submit and subiect themselues to the yoke of one man , euen so many thousands to his power and command . Yet wee see it by Art : For the horse of noblest courage is made to obey with a slender bit : and a Ship though neuer so great , and driuen with fierce windes , Iam. 3.9 . yet is guided and turned about with a small rudder . Againe , we see it in Nature too . The fight of the eye , a very small thing : and the heart of man , but an handfull : yet is the one the light , and the other the life of the whole body . This amongst other , is a speciall argument of the prouidence of God , Psal 68.7 . Secundum vulg. Transl . who causeth men to be of one minde , euen so many thousands , and bindeth them together in dutie and allegeance , that one rule all , and all are ruled by that one .

Hence also ariseth that Ciuill order amongst the societies of men , which notwithstanding the sinnes of men , God hath beene very carefull to preserue and keepe ; and therefore hath his Deputies and Lieutenants vpon the earth , and vnder them subordinate rulers and gouernours , who haue the administration of Iustice and Iudgement . That as in the Frame and composure of the great World , he hath set the Fire aboue the Ayre , the Ayre aboue the Water , the Water aboue the Earth : and as in the structure and building of the little World , hee hath set the Knees aboue the Feete , the Armes aboue the Knees , the Eyes aboue the Armes ; so in bodies politique hee hath set and placed one calling ouer another . Againe , as the Celestiall Bodies haue a double motion , one common with the whole body of the heauens , the other proper and particular , according to the nature of euery seuerall Starre ; and in our bodies a double motion also : one whereof depends vpon the whole body , and therefore is vniuersall : the other particular , according to the inbred nature and disposition of euery seuerall member : So ouer and beside that vniuersall command , that the Supreme Magistrate vpon earth hath ; whereby the whole body of a Kingdome moueth , and subiecteth it selfe , there is a subordinate and a deriued power , whereby , as through an inferiour motion : all parts and members of the body , euen vnto the Foote are ordered and gouerned ; as of seuerall Counties in that Kingdome , of seuerall Cities in those Counties , of seuerall Families in those Cities , and of euery seuerall person in those Families . Hence appeares not onely the necessitie of Lawes , but also their varietie , and those to be ordered , altered , and renewed as new corruptions shall arise , or the times require .

Now for their Execution , without which the common-wealth is breathlesse : on whom lies the Burthen and care but vpon the Magistrate ? What vse is there of that Boat , which hath neither Oares nor Sayles ? or of that booke which lies by a man and is neuer read on ? or what pleasure of musique affords that Instrument , which is neuer touched ? So what vse or benefit is there of Lawes , when they lie as dead as their first makers , or as if they were cast into a perpetuall sleepe , as Iupiter serued Endymion ? As the counterfeit therefore is discerned from the pure gold by the touch : so is the good Magistrate knowne by this , when he shewes ; 1. Courage . First Courage ; Secondly , Knowledge : Thirdly , Diligence , in the execution of Lawes . For the first he should be a couragious and stout Nehemiah : Nehem. 6.11 . Should such a man as I flie ? Lawes that lie dead he must put life into them , 2. Kin. 4.32 . as Elisha did into the Shunamites sonne , and set them vpon their feete . It was the commendation of Ieroboam , 1. King . 11.29 . 1. King . 15.23 . that he was strong and couragious : This man Ieroboam was a man of strength and courage . And surely , hee that is set ouer others , as Ieroboam was set ouer Salomons workes , hee had not neede be gowtie in his feete , as Asa was , but he must haue abilitie of bodie to manage his affaires without check . He must not sit still , or be as a dumb Image , or Statue ; no , he is lex loquens , a speaking Law . And though he be a God on the earth , Psal. 82.6 . yet he must not be like the gods of the Heathen , who haue eyes and see not , eares and heare not , mouthes and yet could not speake . Such are but Idol . Magistrates , Psal 115.6.7 . Gen. 31.30 . like Labans gods ; for so indeed he called them , and yet were very blocks ; or like Bell in the Storie , Brasse without , but clay within : Historia Bell , verse 3. and if they deserue any worship , it is because they spend so much vpon their Tables : so many Measures of fine Flower , so many Sheepe , and so many pots of Wine euery day . A shame it is , they should sit in their places for fashion sake , as Tradesmen weare swords , or like a George on horseback terrible onely in view , and that is all . No they must deale roundly and vse that seueritie against offenders which is meete ; that because Euils are many and rife , and the wicked haue an insatiable appetite to doe wickedly , like the winde euer in motion , like the Sea euer working , therefore to breake off the armes of wickednesse betimes , to doe it manfully and couragiously . Hee that spares the Wolfe , hazards the whole Flocke ; and all goe to ruine , where there is not a resolute , and yet a conscionable seueritle . For I would not haue a Magistrate like Aristides , who for his ouer much Iustice , ( whether iustly or no ) was banished out of Athens , or like Cassius a Praetor in Rome , Valer. Maximus . whose Iudgement seate was said to be Scopulus reorum , where there was as little fauour for an offender to bee had , as the Ship hath that dasheth , or rusheth vpon a Rocke : these turne Iustice into cruelty , and equity into reuenge , and are fitter to gouerne , where Minos and Radamanthus beare office , then to bee set ouer the people of God . Woe be vnto such . Amos 4.1 . For they shall bee taken away with Thornes , and their posterity with Fishhookes . There seuerity therfore must be moderate and Christian , and to their Courage they must ioyne Knowledge too : First to know their owne strength , that is , the authoritie and power that is committed vnto them , from whence it is giuen , and for what end . Secondly , to iudge aright , how euils and misdemeanors grow , from what causes , and how to proceede in them , and so shall they be the better able to remoue them . As I remember Heraclitus when he was sicke , he examined his Phisitions , concerning the cause of his sicknesse ; and for that they were ignorant , and could not resolue him , he sent them away , and would haue none of their Physick ; For ( saith he ) if ye be not able to shew me the cause of my disease , much lesse are yee able to take the cause away . And surely many disorders get head , through the vnskilfulnes of Magistrates in their places : for though they meane well , and are desirous in a godly care to reforme abuses , yet such is the nature of euill , like the Diuell himselfe , that it will grow too subtill and cunning for the Magistrate . 1. Kings 14. Hierome . Euill will disguise it selfe like Ieroboams wife , ye shal not know it to be euill : Ignorantia Iudicis , plerunque est calamitas innocentis , saith a Father , & so it is very true . For Ioseph was punished with imprisonment by Putiphar : Gen. 39.20 . 2. Sam. 16.4 . and Mephiboseths lands were all giuen away by Dauid : and yet both proued meere innocents : and so many times , the innocent smart for it , when there is no cause ; and the nocent & guilty scape free & vntouched . Sinister informations and want of due iudgement in the Magistrate , is not onely a cause of much disorder amongst wicked men , but euen of much iniustice against good men . Adde hereunto Diligence , 3. Diligence . which is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the onely substantial thing , euen al in all , as one spake of perfection , The onely thing in euery thing . Dr. Pl. For he must not be like Polyphemus , who had but one eye , and a bad one too ; but hee had need haue an hundred eyes , as the Poet faignes of Argus , I meane much vigilancy in his gouernment . Centum luminibus cinctii caput Argus babebat . Ouid. Metam . Homer . He must be oculatus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , à fronte & à tergo , he must looke before him , behind him , he must be euery way vigilant ; & in this respect is that Apothegme iust and true , that one good Magistrate is worth twenty good Lawes . And if a man did rightly iudge aforehand , what diligence and paines-taking , this Office requires , I thinke he would scarse haue the honour , to beare the Burthen . He must stand Sentinell , and haue his eye euery where , that as the heart sendeth forth spirit and vigour into all parts and members of the body , and yet is not present in euery part or member : So though not his Person , yet the presence of his Power should bee euery where , in all parts of his common-weale and gouernment . And as it was said of the gods of the Pagans , other gods were limited and tyed to their seueral places , as Iupiter to Elis , Diana to Ephesus , Apollo to Delos : But Esculapius , whose skil and knowledge in Physick was admirable , hee had his Temples and Altars euery where , in Corinth , in Thebes , in Athens , in Lacedaemon , in Arcadia , &c. So I say , though priuate men , neither can nor ought to range beyond their proper and particular stations : yet the Magistrate , the great Physition of the weale publique , must be euery where , in all places , as the beames of the Sunne , striking into euery house ; in euery part or disordered place , ought his power to bee , for rereformation and amendment . And as nothing paineth the Physition more , then the difficultie and hardnesse of the cure ; so nothing should be a greater griefe vnto his heart , then when disorders shall grow aboue his strength to reforme , and euils and abuses ouer-master him . Hence no doubt is that of the Sonne of Syrach , Ecclus. 7.7 . Seeke not to bee made a Iudge or a Magistrate , lest thou beest not able to take away iniquitie .

By all which it is manifest , what a Burthen and weight lyeth vpon the shoulders of the Magistrate : and therefore it is no faire play , in your Elections to this purpose , so often to lay this Burthen vpon one man . For I am out of doubt , that principle of Plato is vndoubtedly true : Plato . Euery good Magistrate taketh his office vpon him vnwillingly . Moses , a man rarely qualified , yet he groued vnder the Burthen and weight of it . Who am I ? Exod. 3.11 . Exod. 3.11 . Exod. 18. and Iethro tels him , the thing was too heauy for him , Exod. 18. and in the fourth of Exod. 13. he shifts it off to another , Exod. 4.13 . send by the hand of him , whom thou shouldest send : euery way disabling himselfe ; sometime by casting doubts , that they would not beleeue , nor hearken vnto him , Exod. 4.1 . Exod. 4.1 . sometime by excusing himselfe , that hee had no plausible tongue , Exod. 4.10 . and yet a notable bold Magistrate , Exod. 4.10 . and full of courage in the cause of God against King Pharaoh and a notable minister of Iustice vnto all his people . Steuen gaue this Testimonie of him , Act. 7.22 . that he was learned in all the learning of the Aegyptians , and was mighty in deedes and in words . He slew an Egyptian , Exod. 2.11 . and presently after he reproued an Hebrew ; and though he was assured by an holy instinct , that God had designed him for Magistracie and gouerment , and yet loth , loth ye see he was , to take this charge and Burthen vpon him .

To winde vp this point , ( lest my selfe also should be a Burthen . ) Esay 9.6 . it was said of Christ , that the gouernment of the Church lay vpon his shoulders : Sure I am , the Burthen of the common weale lyeth vpon the shoulders of the Magistrate : and the carriage thereof not easily borne . A matter not of ease , though of honour , and they finde it most , who are best gouernours .

And the consideration of this , Vse 1 challengeth from the hearts and hands of You the people ; loue , dutie , reuerence , obedience , and all good seruices of respect vnto your Magistrate ; whom God hath set ouer you , and vpon whom God hath laid so great a weight and burthen for your goood : Mar. 12.17 . Rom. 13.1.7 therefore to giue Casar his due , and euery soule to submit it self to this Ordinance of God , whether supreme or subordinate ; which whosoeuer resisteth , shall receiue to themselues damnation . Venerandos esse Principes antiqua lex . Euripid. This condemnes sawcie and malepert fellowes , who will contest with the Magistrate , and braue him to his face , whose impudent demeanour bewrayes that if Law were not , they would pluck the sword out of His hand , Rom. vbi supra . who beareth not the sword for nought .

Secondly , because Gouernment is so Burthensome of it selfe , therefore euery man in his particular place and calling , is to ease the Magistrate what he can : I meane so to conforme and demeane himselfe , that he may be a comfort to the Magistrate , not a Burthen . Which he shall doe , if religiously and conscionably he walketh in that calling wherein God hath placed him . And if it bee true which Hippocrates saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sect. 2. Aphor. 51. Any thing passng the bounds of moderation is an enemy to Nature ; surely any thing that passeth the bounds of Religion & Pietie , is an enemie to the peace of Christian gouernment . He is not worthy to breath vnder the benefit of Lawes , who of himselfe is no better then Law makes him .

Thirdly , is Gouernment so Burdensome ? Then it is the duty of the people for the Magistrate , and Magistrates for themselues , to commend their cause vnto God by Prayer , that he would stand by them , and assist them with his grace , to fit and enable them for the discharge of their dutie , that like Iosuah they may be filled , Iosuah 6.24 . and like Gedeon clothed with the Spirit : to desire with Salomon , Iudg. 6.34 . 1. King 3.9 . vnderstanding hearts : that according to the commendation of Dauid , they may behaue themselues wisely in all their waies . This is a speciall dutie . 1. Tim. 2.1.2 . I exhort ( saith the Apostle ) that prayers and supplications be made for al men , especially for Kings , and those that be put in authoritie vnder them , that we may leade a quiet and a peaceable life , in all godlinesse and honestie .

Lastly , because Gouernment is so Burthensome of it selfe , therfore should Magistrates be careful , not to loade themselues with vnnecessarie Burthens and businesses , which come to passe , either first when matters are raised and raked out of the dust , vpon former grudges and spleenes , that being inuested into their places , they say as Caesar did ; when he got the sword into his hand : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Now I am where I would be . Now I am in place where I may reuenge my selfe , where I may pay them home . I say all former grudgings , hart-burnings , displeasures , are vtterly to be crossed and raced out of your bookes , and not to take aduantage of your publique places , to auenge your selues vpon priuate wrongs . This will intangle you much , much incomber you , perhaps proue heauier to you then you are aware : that as Shebna built his Sepulcher in one countrey , Esay 12.18 . but was buried in another : and as Leander , to win his desire , aduentured to crosse the Hellespont , but was crossed by the Hellespont : so we may come short of that successe which we looke for . Secondly , you loade and ouercharge your selues vnnecessarily , when you are too much addicted to matters of the world , and to your own priuate respect , as many doe , putting their hands almost into euery Trade for gaine and lucre . Thus as Abacuk speakes , Habac. 2.6 . they loade themselues with thick clay , and sticke fast in the mire of their owne worldlinesse . Concupisti ? haesists , saith Bernard , Bern. Art thou couetous ? then thou stickest fast , as the bird intangled in the Lime , the more shee stirres the surer she is , the longer she striues the worse she fares . It was a good prouiso therefore , Exod. 18.21 . that Iethro gaue to Moses , that He that should be designed for gouernment should be a man hating couetousnesse . Psal. 119.36 Dauid . prayes directly against it . Incline mine heart O Lord vnto thy Testimonies , and not vnto couetousnesse . Ne praeeminentem virum thesauri possideant sui , & pecuniis seruiat qui praeest caeteris . Ambr. l. 2. Offic. cap. 14. 1. Tim. 6.9 . It il becomes him who is set aloft as a Lord ouer others , to be a drudge and a slaue vnto himselfe , wrapped vp in his immoderate and earthly cares , which in the end will proue but snares vnto him , nay so many harlots and lasciuious Courtizans , as will wooe him , and seek to win from him that loue and tender regard , which hee as a true husband vnto the commonweale , ought to beare vnto it . He had neede be as strong as Issachar , Gen. 49.14 . who should couch downe twixt two burdens .